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Congressman Issa Questions Marine Commandant on Biden Vaccine Mandate

January 17, 2022

Calls for USMC’s transparency on reported religious accommodations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) sent a letter to General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), with questions regarding the shortfall of information and specifics pertaining to the recent purported approval of religious accommodations to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“President Biden’s military vaccine mandate is a counterproductive mistake to impose on our men and women in uniform,” said Rep. Issa. “That’s why dozens of service members have reached out to my office searching for help and revealing the troubling details of this destructive mandate. I won’t stop fighting for these troops.”

To view a full copy of the letter, click HERE.

“This mandate is causing incalculable harm to force readiness, troop morale, and our national security,” said Issa. “Our service members deserve to know the critical circumstances that lead to the USMC’s approval of these religious accommodation requests, so they too may fully consider how to include complete details involving their own unique cases.”

Issa’s letter follows Marine Corps data showing two recent approvals for religious accommodation requests regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, the first of its kind for any service.

Rep. Issa has been a vocal opponent of the Biden mandate, publishing an op-ed in Fox News outlining the full scope of his opposition for all of our active-duty military, in addition to the National Guard and Reserve forces. Issa offered an amendment to floor legislation to prevent funding to be used to enforce the mandate for Guard and Reserve forces.

He also created a portal on his website for service men and women being threatened with discharge from the military. Hundreds of military personnel have been in contact with Rep. Issa’s office seeking assistance.

Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 50th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and northeastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Temecula, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015.

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